Our Vows Were Fake, Theirs Were Real

Chapter 13

As Timothy spoke, his eyes began to redden, and his voice quivered slightly.

"Evie, I'm single now. I can marry you without hesitation. How about we go get the marriage certificate?"

When I was in love with Timothy, all I wanted was his undivided attention. But now, as he stood before me offering it so freely, all I felt was discomfort and disgust.

"Timothy, we're strangers now," I said, my voice calm but firm.

"I didn't avoid you, and I'm not angry. I just don't love you anymore."

"Please stop bothering me," I added, trying to distance myself.

"No, no... Evie, you can't be so heartless," he pleaded, his desperation growing. "You can't just walk away from me after I realize how deeply in love I am with you. You can't be so cruel to me."

Timothy grabbed my hand tightly, his grip firm and unrelenting.

"Let go of me!" I demanded.

"I won't! I won't let you go, no matter what!" he insisted, his voice raw.

But even then, I slowly pried my hand free, turned around resolutely, and got into a taxi. I started working at a new company, one closer to my apartment. My daily routine became a source of peace, work, home, and nothing else. I knew Timothy was still following me at a distance, but he didn't bother me, and that was enough for me.

Then, my company launched a new project, and I had to work late a lot. One night, after leaving work, I was walking home alone when a man suddenly emerged from the shadows. He covered my mouth and nose, dragging me into a van. I tried to scream, but I couldn't breathe, and my body felt too weak to fight back.

Just when I thought I was done for, another man appeared from behind and started fighting with my attacker. I broke free and screamed for help. Fortunately, the security guards on duty heard me and rushed over, but in the chaos, my attacker managed to escape.

The man who saved me was Timothy. He was lying on the ground, blood soaking into the pavement.

"Timothy, wake up! Don't sleep...!" I cried, frantic.

"Timothy, I won't blame you anymore. Just wake up... please."

He barely opened his eyes, looking at me with a faint smile, as if to say, I'm glad you're okay. Then, everything around us seemed to blur, and the lights in the emergency room flickered as they rushed him inside for treatment.